1930s Small Gladstone Weekend Bag

A lovely vintage 1930s small leather Gladstone weekend bag, with brass fittings and leather belt straps. Printed with the initials 'G.W.' One small nick on the handle, otherwise in excellent condition.

The Gladstone bag denotes a small portmanteau suitcase built over a rigid frame which could separate into two equal sections.

The first example was designed and manufactured by J G Beard at his leather shop in the City of Westminster. He named the creation after the British Prime Minister who he greatly admired, William Ewart Gladstone (1809-1898). Typically made of stiff leather and belted with lanyards, a Gladstone bag differs from the suitcase by being deeper in proportion to its length.